Month: August 2009

It’s certainly ironic that Joel Plaskett’s current album is called Three because it is the third time I saw him live (two from last year, one in winter and late Spring). It seems like 3 is a lucky number into itself. Onto Plaskett at Ottawa Folk Festival, he definitely gave an excellent performance because he had his dad, Bill Plaskett, perform along with him. It is different than seeing without his Emergency band because his solo performance from Folk Fest seemed to be a bit mellower than his rock-style with the Emergency. He did some humourous talk during his performances and joked about being delayed at LaGuardia Airport and getting bit by mosquitoes. All in all, it was great and having Amanda Putz MC’ing made it awesome.
What was also funny was my brother got Plaskett to write number 3 in Chinese. It’s such an easy Chinese word to write.
Earlier in the afternoon, I got to check out the “Songs From The Road”songwriters circle with him, Ana Miura, Steven Page and Bruce Cockburn. I didn’t stay too long due to the some reasons (bringing my two month old trusty 13″ MacBook Pro) and I was totally sweating like crazy.
You can check the photos here.
Overall, I had a great time being at Ottawa Folk Festival for that one and only last day. Seeing the usual folks made feel happy and making me laugh. (you know who you are).
Another nice favour I have done for the two CKCU radio shows were giving them a promo of sorts from Plaskett. I hope they will like it.
Photos from Plaskett’s performance at Ottawa Folk Festival can be seen here.
Well, that’s all for now and will put various Ottawa Folk Festival photos that I took later on. It was an awesome weekend (minus Saturday) with i(heart)music festival on Friday and then the final day of Ottawa Folk Festival.Continue reading →

I decided to blog another Summer entry and it’s nearing a fifth series/season because this person lit a fire under me because this person enjoys reading my live music entries. The hint is this person works for the Ceeb #2 (in Radio). That’s all I will get into, but thanks! (Hope you read it). With the fifth season looming may come a name change for the blog due to the fact that I am not really traveling around the world.
On Friday night, I checked out the i(heart)music festival at Cafe Dekcuf for The Love Machine and The Balconies. I am familiar with those two Ottawa bands because my brother is good friends with them. What’s nice is that both bands are great friends with each other. It’s good to see connections from one another.
For anyone who doesn’t know about i(heart)music, it is by an Ottawa-based music blogger who writes and promotes up and coming Canadian indie singers and bands. It’s more like giving them exposure and bringing good music to the Nation’s Capital and throughout Canada.
The First Two Bands – Oh No Forest Fires and Modernboys Moderngirls
There were two other bands I got to check out who were on the bill. First up was Oh No Forest Fires, they started off with a wild and rocking set and during their performance, the lead singer of Oh No Forest Fires made jokes about Jerry Seinfeld in Ottawa. What was even funny during their performance was their mic stand kept falling off and one almost hit my head. That was a close call and would of knocked myself silly. What’s also surprising is the lead singer is the brother to one of the members of Hey Rosetta.
You can check the photos here via Flickr.

Onto Modernboys Moderngirls, I missed the first part due to interviewing the members of Oh No Forest Fire. They’re a new band and they performed to a great rocking set.
You check the photos here via Flickr.

The Beloved Two Ottawa Bands
How could I not say about returning Bandwidth host, Amanda Putz’s favorite Ottawa band, The Love Machine. They totally rocked and energized the crowd for their performance. At one point of their set, Jacquie and a friend were doing the robodance and it was funny part to their performance. They announced that they will be doing their first music videos and needing females to be part of it and there were some jokes included, which I won’t say.
You check The Love Machine photos here via Flickr.

Last, but not least, The Balconies. Prior to arriving early, I decided to hang out with Jacquie and Liam for some food. Went to a Thai restaurant and I only ordered shrimp spring rolls. The worse part was that I didn’t stay for all of their performance because of a lousy bus service in Ottawa. I only stayed for about 10 minutes to hear their usual rockin’ songs. They still rocked out pretty late and even a good turnout. There were worries about the turnout due to Jerry Seinfeld at the NAC, Ottawa Folk Festival and Britney Spears at Scotiabank Place. Overall, things were pretty good for a Friday night at Cafe Deckuf.
You check the The Balconies photos here via Flickr.

That was my Friday and now onto Joel Plaskett at Ottawa Folk Festival for Sunday (Aug. 23).

I know the photo is not really linked to this particular entry but I mentioned at the start of Horses Spilled Milk that I went to Perth, Ontario on Saturday for 2 lion dance performances. Check the 2009 Summer page for the short entry. I had to sub in for co-host for the beginning of the show because he was running late. I was basically a lifesaver for Horses Spilled Milk and Kristal’s Method.
Halfway through Horses Spilled Milk, there was a classic 80s song played and the hint; The Breakfast Club, directed by the late John Hughes.

Afterwards, I unexpectedly decided to guest host Kristal’s Method because Kristal wasn’t around. I had to scramble and figure out what songs to play. I had help from Armen of Thematics at CKCU-FM at the first host break. This time, I totally played 100% Canadian independent music.
Note: Audio for both shows are no longer available to listen.Continue reading →

I was able to be a guest co-host on Fundamentally Sound with Dennis Molnar on Thursday. Fundamentally Sound is a Hip-Hop, Rap, Funk, Soul radio show that airs from 12-2pm at CKCU-FM.Warning, there are several songs that have swearing and this blog being PG-friendly, I just want to give an advance warning. Overall, I was very comfortable being on-air because at least there someone in the on-air studio. I was calm, cool and collective and not as nervous when hosting your own radio show. Although, my loyalty still lies with Canadian indie music radio shows but my roots still lie with enjoying various forms of musical genres.

Again, I got to do another fill-in slot on-air at CKCU-FM 93.1. This time, it was for Kristal’s Method because Kristal (the host) could not make it back to Ottawa from Toronto. Plus, it was a Civic Holiday in Canada. It was the second time to host a radio show. I dunno if the one from CBC Radio 3 with Craig Norris counts because I talked through the phone and I didn’t use any equipments. I did co-host on Kristal’s Method on the day that the Polaris Music Prize unveiled their Long List. I would say that I have been on-air 4 times.
Here’s this new player to listen:http://www.archive.org/download/WildworksShow2OnCkcu/WildWorks2.mp3″Continue reading →